Sandy victims await aid three months on

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 - 01:06

Jan. 30 - Parts of New Jersey remain damaged three months after superstorm Sandy ravaged the northeast of the United States, as residents await assistance to rebuild their lives. Sarah Charlton reports.

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Three months after superstorm Sandy battered America's northeast and many victims are still awaiting federal aid.
Now, there's good news on the horizon for those rebuilding their lives.
A 50 billion dollar aid package has been approved in the Senate after a long delay.
It's a welcome relief for those still homeless - and for the scores more without power in the middle of winter.
Pastor Michael Turner is from a local church.
SOUNDBITE: PASTOR MICHAEL A. TURNER, SEA BRIGHT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, SAYING (English):
"I think right now with this budget being passed they're going to feel even more secure, because that was the only thing that was left out. They knew that the town...they knew that the government that is here in the town, the local government, but what they were looking for was that hopefully the government, the United States government, would be there for them as well."
The three-month delay came after a bitter political battle over deficit reduction.
It's in stark contrast with the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when congress approved billions of dollars of aid within 10 days of the storm.